A home solar installation in Pakistan takes one full working day for a typical 5 kW system — the crew assesses the roof, mounts the structure, installs panels, connects the inverter, routes cables to the distribution board, and commissions the system.
Assess Your Roof and Calculate Load
Calculate your average monthly electricity consumption from the last 3-6 bills — the Units Consumed figure is what you need. Each 1 kW of solar generates approximately 4-5 units per day under Pakistan's sun. Assess your unshaded roof area — each 400W panel needs about 2 square metres. A 5 kW system requires 25-30 square metres of clear, unshaded roof. Check for shadow obstructions from water tanks, staircase covers, and neighbouring buildings throughout the day.
Choose System Type and Hire an AEDB Vendor
On-grid: Cheapest — exports excess via net metering, but shuts down automatically during grid outages. Hybrid: Has battery backup, continues during load-shedding, 40-60% more expensive than on-grid. Off-grid: Fully independent of the grid, best for areas without reliable supply. Find AEDB-registered vendors at aedb.org.pk — AEDB registration is mandatory for vendors who handle net metering applications.
What Happens on Installation Day
A standard 5 kW system takes 1-2 days with a crew of 3-4 workers. Day 1 morning: mounting rails are bolted to the roof slab. Day 1 afternoon: panels are installed on the rails and connected in strings. Day 2: the inverter is mounted on a shaded wall, DC cables are run from the panels, AC cables connect to the main distribution board, earthing is installed, and the system is tested and commissioned. Be present during earthing installation — it's a safety-critical step.
Commission and Apply for Net Metering Immediately
Get a commissioning report from your vendor confirming the system is generating at rated power. For on-grid systems, apply for net metering with your DISCO immediately after commissioning — see our Net Metering guide for the full process. Until net metering is approved, any excess power you generate goes to the grid without financial credit.
| Installation Phase | Duration | What's Happening |
|---|---|---|
| Rooftop survey and layout | 30–60 min | Marking panel positions, measuring cable runs, confirming structure anchor points |
| Mounting structure assembly | 1–2 hours | Bolting rails to roof, checking alignment and levelness |
| Panel mounting | 1–2 hours | Placing and securing panels on rails, connecting MC4 DC connectors |
| Inverter installation | 30–60 min | Wall-mounting inverter, connecting AC side to DB board |
| Cable routing | 1–2 hours | Running DC and AC cables through conduit, labelling |
| System commissioning | 30–60 min | Powering on, checking output, configuring monitoring app |
| Site cleanup and handover | 30 min | Removing debris, reviewing operation with owner |
Installation and System Problems
Check for partial shading — even one partially shaded panel reduces the whole string's output significantly. Also check DC cable connections and ensure the inverter has adequate ventilation clearance around it.
Net metering is a legal right under NEPRA regulations for all on-grid systems up to 1 MW. Request the specific refusal reason in writing and reference NEPRA's net metering policy document. Most refusals stem from paperwork issues rather than genuine ineligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
A standard 5-10 kW residential system takes 1-2 days for physical installation. Net metering approval from your DISCO then takes an additional 30-90 days after submission.
Many gated communities require a No Objection Certificate before solar installation. Check with your society administration before installation begins — most societies approve solar but some have structural or aesthetic requirements.
Before the team leaves: confirm the inverter display shows power generation (if it's daytime); check all panels are mounted securely with no movement; verify the app monitoring connection works on your phone; get the WiFi monitoring configured; and get the net metering application paperwork if the vendor is handling it. A reputable installer does a post-installation walkthrough with you — if they try to leave without it, ask for it.
Flat concrete roofs are the most common installation surface in Pakistan and work well. The installer uses concrete anchor bolts or ballasted (weighted) mounting frames. Ballasted frames require no drilling — better for waterproofing but need more roof load calculation. Tilted frames at 15–25 degrees optimise generation; south-facing is ideal. Ask your installer which mounting approach they recommend for your specific roof and why.
You should receive: a panel performance warranty (typically 25 years for Tier-1 brands — get the manufacturer's card); an inverter warranty (5–10 years depending on brand — get the warranty registration confirmation); a workmanship warranty from the installer (minimum 1–2 years for installation quality issues like leaks, loose connections). Get all warranties in writing before paying the final instalment.